NIU Falls at South Dakota State, 27-6Wins by Torrence and Harrison not enough for Huskies

Nick Harrison earned a 6-4 win at 125 pounds against Ben Gillette

Feb. 14, 2014

BROOKINGS, S.D. - The Northern Illinois University wrestling team built an early lead, but suffered some tight losses Friday night en route to a 27-6 loss to South Dakota State.

The Huskies (6-11, 1-6 MAC) took an early 6-3 lead through three matches, only to have the Jackrabbits (5-7, 2-1 WWC) claim victories in each of the last seven bouts.

"We let ourselves get slowed down tonight," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We came out flat and there's no excuse for that. (Jared) Torrence again gave a gritty performance and continues to be a great leader on this squad."

SDSU got on the board first when Shawn Scott dropped an 8-5 decision at 197 against Trey Hable. However, Jared Torrence knotted the team score at three apiece with an exciting overtime win against J.J. Everard. After battling to a 1-1 tie in regulation and a 2-2 tie in the first overtime, the Huskie redshirt senior scored a takedown in the second sudden victory to earn his third victory of the season over the Jackrabbit heavyweight.

Nick Harrison gave the Huskies their first lead of the day with a 6-4 win over Ben Gillette. After racing out to a 4-0 lead after the first period, the Stillman Valley, Ill., native secured the win with a pair of third-period escapes.

From there, though, the Jackrabbits quickly turned the tide in their favor. The shift occurred at 133 pounds, when Derek Elmore - making his official debut of the 2013-14 campaign - was pinned in the second period by Brance Simms, which gave SDSU a 9-6 lead.

The NIU deficit continued to grow when Kevin Fanta suffered a 7-5 loss to Eric Orozco and Rob Jillard lost, 8-4, against Alex Kocer. At 157, Andrew Morse fell to 17th-ranked Cody Pack in a 7-2 decision, allowing the Jackrabbits to build an 18-6 edge.

Shaun'Qae McMurtry tried to keep the Huskies in the dual, but surrendered a takedown in overtime against Joe Brewster to provide the final 3-1 margin at 165. SDSU capped off their win with a pair of decisions at 174 and 184, where Billy Chancey lost, 5-1, against John Nething II and Caleb Busson dropped a close 3-2 match against Brady Ayers.

The Huskies close out their regular season Sunday, Feb. 23, when they head to Buffalo to battle the Bulls. The dual begins at noon CT in UB's Alumni Arena.